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Dear Member
Annual Dinner – Friday 14 November 2025
The next annual dinner will be held in the East India Room at the East India Club, 16 St James’s Square London SW1Y 4LH at 7 pm for 7.30 pm on Friday 14 November.
A cash bar will be available from 6.45 pm.
The speaker will be Tim Hands, he was a Lecturer in English at Oriel College before becoming a housemaster at the King’s School, Canterbury, and then Second Master at Whitgift School. In 1997, he became Headmaster of The Portsmouth Grammar School, before moving in January 2008 to Magdalen College School as its 61st Master. He has appeared as a spokesman for the independent sector on educational matters, especially partnership between the sectors, and university admissions. He was elected to the Committee of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference in 2003, becoming chairman of its University Committee one year later, and serving in that capacity for seven years. In 2012, he was elected as Chairman of the Conference for 2013-14. He became Headmaster of Winchester College in September 2016. In March 2022, it was announced that he would retire in August 2023.
As usual, guests will be very welcome. The cost of the dinner will be £95 per person.
Dress code will be lounge suits.
We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Places are limited so please book as soon as possible.
The East India Club
16 St. James's Square, London, SW1Y 4LH
Telephone: 020 7930 1000
Fax: 020 7321 0217
Email: secretary@eastindiaclub.com
As a private members’ club, situated in the heart of London’s clubland, the East India continues its tradition as a home from home for dynamic and sociable gentlemen.
Founded in the middle of the 19th century, its original members were ‘the servants of the East India Company and Commissioned Officers of Her Majesty’s Army and Navy’. The legacy of those early members, home on furlough from far-flung lands, continues today.
Since those early days, the club has amalgamated with the:
Sports Club in 1939, which had a small membership but among them were some of the most famous sportsmen of the day, who brought with them associations and privileges from which this club still benefits.
Public Schools Club in 1972, brought the J7 scheme, which encourages school leavers to join under advantageous terms which helps ensure the future of the club.
Devonshire Club brought notable members and much-needed money when they merged with us in 1976.
In addition a number of former members of the original Eccentric Club joined in the 1980s when their club closed. Their clubhouse in Ryder Street was where they dined the Lord Mayor of London in their year of office. That privilege transferred to the East India, and remains a most popular function.
The amalgam has been a happy one, possibly because together, as their titles suggest, the component parts reflect the very best diversity of English tradition. The club retains its international dimension through its reciprocal arrangements with similar clubs throughout the world.
For furrther information please contact our secretary Rosie Findlay at arops@arops.org.uk
Please book early for the Annual Dinner as places are limited.
